FAISALABAD, Pakistan: A Christian woman from an exceptionally vulnerable family in Faisalabad is pursuing justice after allegedly fighting off a neighbour who entered her family home in the early hours of the morning and attempted to sexually assault her.

The alleged incident occurred at approximately on 10 August 2026 at the family’s modest home situated in the New Town area of Faisalabad.

According to the family, Arzoo Masih, approximately 25, was sleeping with other family members on the rooftop because of the summer heat when a neighbouring man, identified as Ali, allegedly climbed over a wall and entered the property.

The family alleges that the man was under the influence of drugs and unclothed when he approached Arzoo and attempted to sexually assault her.

Arzoo resisted and raised an alarm, waking her father and siblings. The alleged attacker then fled.

The family reported the incident to police later that morning. FIR No. 1086/26 was subsequently registered at Batala Colony Police Station. According to the family, the accused has since been arrested and remains in jail while criminal proceedings continue.

However, the family says the arrest has not ended their ordeal. They allege that some people from the surrounding community have been pressuring them to reach a compromise and withdraw from pursuing the case.

Arzoo and her father have refused, saying they want the matter to proceed through the courts.

The case came to the attention of the EDGE Foundation, whose team personally visited the family to understand their circumstances and assess the assistance they require.

During the visit, the team found a family already facing extraordinary hardship. Arzoo’s father, Mushtaq Masih, spent much of his working life as a gravedigger and caretaker and lives with his family inside the graveyard where he worked. His wife died approximately five years ago following a serious illness.

Around two years ago, Mushtaq suffered an accident that badly affected his right leg. According to the family, he is now largely bedridden and unable to continue the physical work on which the household depended.

Three of his four children are reportedly blind from birth. Arzoo’s husband, Faraz Masih, is also blind.

Despite poverty, bereavement and disability, Mushtaq made considerable efforts to educate his children. The family says all four completed at least matriculation, while Faraz completed intermediate-level education.

Azhar S. Malik, Director of the EDGE Foundation, who personally met the family, said their circumstances had deeply concerned him. “When we met this family, it became clear that this was not only about one alleged incident. This is a family already carrying an enormous burden of poverty, disability, bereavement and illness, and now they are having to fight for justice as well.

“Mushtaq worked as a gravedigger to provide for his children and, despite having very little, made sure they received an education. Today he is largely unable to work, three of his children are blind, and the family has very limited financial resources. Yet they are determined that poverty should not force them to give up their right to justice.”

Mr Malik said the alleged pressure to compromise was particularly concerning. “Arzoo and her father have told us clearly that they do not want to compromise. They want the law to take its course. A poor family should never be made to feel that because they lack money, influence or social standing, they must accept a settlement rather than pursue justice.

“The arrest of the accused is an important development, but an arrest is only the beginning of the legal process. The family must be protected from intimidation or pressure, and the case must be allowed to proceed fairly before the court.”

Mr Malik added that the vulnerability of poor Christian families can become particularly acute when disability, unemployment and social marginalisation occur together.

“When I met them, what impressed me was their resilience. Despite everything they have endured, they have tried to educate their children and live with dignity. They are not asking for special treatment. They are asking for protection and for the law to work fairly for them.”

The EDGE Foundation said its team will continue to follow the case and assess the family’s legal and practical needs as proceedings continue.